Grenade launcher with enhanced target follow-up

Abstract

A system for enhancing targets follow-up by a gunner of an automatic grenade launcher (AGL). After aiming the sight at the target and measuring range to it, the liner lock fixing the sight to the cradle mount is disengaged. The AGL is subsequently free to accept a superelevation inclination angle while the sight remains aligned with the target. Simultaneously, the sight is fixed vertically to the system mount by a temporary engagement of a mount-brake. The AGL elevation angle is applied by motor automatically as a function of the said measured range.

1. A system for enhancing target follow-up by a gunner of an automatic grenade launcher (AGL), comprising:
 a system-mount;  
 a AGL cradle;  
 an axle for vertically rotating said cradle;  
 an electric motor for providing torque to said axle;  
 a AGL-sight borne by a sight-mount;  
 a mount-brake means for freezing the vertical angle of said sight-mount with respect to said system-mount, and  
 a disengageable linear lock for fixing a vertical angular movement of said sight to said AGL cradle.  
 
     
     
       2. A system for enhancing target follow-up by a gunner of an automatic grenade launcher (AGL) as in  claim 1  and wherein said linear lock is an hydraulic lock. 
     
     
       3. A system for enhancing target follow-up by an automatic grenade launcher (AGL) as in  claim 1  and wherein said brake means is a frictional clutch. 
     
     
       4. A method for enhancing targets follow-up by a gunner of an automatic grenade launcher (AGL), comprising the steps of:
 acquiring a target;  
 aiming a sight of said AGL at said target wherein said AGL is substantially aligned with said sight;  
 measuring range to said target and disengaging a linear lock of said sight of said AGL thereby releasing said sight from fixation to a vertical angular displacement of said AGL, and engaging a mount-brake for freezing a vertical angle of said sight relative to said system-mount, and  
 applying an elevation angle to said AGL as a function of the range to said target.  
 
     
     
       5. A method for enhancing target follow-up by a gunner of an automatic grenade launcher (AGL) as in  claim 4 , and wherein said elevation angle is applied by a motor to said AGL automatically as a function of said measured range.